Claremont Obituaries

Claremont resident for 57 years Edmund Warner “Ted” Fisher, Jr., died suddenly on December 26 at home while watching “Bonanza” in his recliner. He was 88.

Clara Berg Zink, age 87, died peacefully at her Claremont home in the early morning of November 27. Her ashes were scattered at sea. The first child of Eastern European immigrants Samuel and Sophie Naliboff, Clara was born in El Centro, California on March 16, 1935.  Her formative years were shared between the family home in El Centro and a working ranch in Julian. During the sweltering summers at the Julian ranch, she and her beloved brother David would rest in the shade of an oak tree and read the encyclopedia from A to Z. This undoubtedly formed the foundation of her lifelong love of learning and explains the amazing depth and breadth of her knowledge.

Longtime Claremont resident, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Leilani June Scheetz died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on December 15 at the age of 85. “Throughout her life she was an anchor for her family and an inspiration to those around her,” her family shared. “She absolutely loved life.”

John Blair Ceniceros died peacefully, surrounded by his children, on Thanksgiving day, 2022 at the age of 89. Blair was born in Los Angeles in 1933 and grew up in Redlands, graduating from Redlands High School, and then attending Occidental College in Los Angeles. He left college to serve in the U.S. Army for two years, posting in Germany. In 1957 he returned to Occidental College to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree. He went on to earn his master’s degree at the University of Redlands.

homas Michael Thornstrom died unexpectedly on December 14 of complications from a stroke he had in July. He was surrounded by his mother, brothers and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Thomas was born September 18, 1985, to Rob and Lynn Thornstrom, following the births of his older brothers Todd and Tyler. He resided his entire life in Claremont, attending Mountain View Elementary School, El Roble Intermediate School, and Claremont High School. He also attended Citrus College. He lived with his mother and brother Todd at the time of his death.

Bernice (Bunny) Spanier died peacefully in Irvine, California recently after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and complications from pneumonia. Bunny was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The family lived in Mobridge where her father owned and operated the town’s only general store. His customers were mostly Native Americans who lived on reservations at Standing Rock and Cheyenne River.

Arnold “Arnie” Frank, film executive, producer, musician, and agent to myriad famed entertainers, died November 12 following a fall in his Claremont home. He was 93 and working to the end. Arnie was a life member of both the Motion Picture Academy’s Executive Branch and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47, Hollywood.

Delores Lillian Burris died peacefully November 13 at age 89 in Claremont after a brief illness. Delores was a dedicated and loving partner to Nancy Clark and co-mother to five children. She was born in 1933 in Detroit, Michigan but lived most of her life in and around Los Angeles, graduating magna cum laude from Immaculate Heart College in 1973 with a major in Spanish and minor in social relations.

Ward Elliott, a beloved Claremont McKenna College professor who inspired the minds and spirits of generations of students through his teaching, mentorship, and sing-along parties, died in his home on December 6 at age 85. A renowned scholar of American government, constitutional law and the Supreme Court, Elliott joined CMC in 1968 at age 29 after earning three degrees from Harvard University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. As the Burnet C. Wohlford Professor Emeritus of American Political Institutions for 49 years, he held the rare distinction of serving under all five CMC presidents.

Susan Elise Dollar died at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center on November 22. She was 60. Susan was born May 10, 1962 in Passaic, New Jersey. The daughter of two professors, and the youngest of four children, she grew up in nearby Rutherford and attended Rutherford High School. Her early life was enriched by frequent trips to museums and ballet performances in New York City, yearly visits to her grandparents and other extended family in the St. Louis, Missouri area, and summer vacations on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, one of her favorite places.

Richard “Dick” Stowell died Saturday, November 26 at his home in Kenmore, Washington. He leaves a rich legacy of laughter, learning, and lifelong loyal friendships. Dick was an educator with Claremont Unified School District for many years (most of them at Mountain View Elementary). Born in Edgerton, Wisconsin, he moved to Upland at age 11. He often recounted his days of playing in the many nearby orange groves. 

Robert L. Hauducoeur was born in Philadelphia on May 26, 1944, the third child of Dorothy and Robert Hauducoeur, joining two older sisters. He was raised in the Philadelphia suburb of Glenolden. “Bob” was married to Pat for 56 years. They have three sons, Tim, Rob, and Kyle; three daughters-in-law, Tera, Julie, and Monee; and three grandchildren, Jenna, Josh and Jack, all of whom reside in Upland.

Well known orthopedic surgeon Dr. James P. Beasom III died at age 99 on November 13 with his family by his side, 46 days shy of his 100th birthday. He and his identical twin brother, Dr. Ralph D. Beasom, were born in Seattle, Washington to the Rev. James P. Beasom Jr. and Helga Kirkrod Beasom.

Gabriel Damico died Sunday, October 9 in Claremont. He was 97. Gabe was a longtime resident, educator and volunteer in Claremont. He was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, the son of Giuseppe and Assunta Damico.

Harry Jan Steendam, born on July 31, 1997 at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, died at the age of 25 on November 7 at the family home in Claremont.

Fulton B. Eaglin died at age 80 on November 18. He was born to Simon and Marguerite (Davis) on November 23, 1941, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He attended St. John the Baptist and St. Thomas Catholic Schools.